The temperature has already climbed above 80, schools will be out soon, and everyone is looking for fun. That can only mean one thing: the State Fair Meadowlands is not far away.

If you are looking for racing and squealing pigs, a waterslide to get addicted to, or fast food of every imaginable kind, you have come to the right place.

The State Fair Meadowlands runs June 21 through July 7 at the Meadowlands Fairgrounds, next to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. It is the largest fair in the New York metropolitan area, with more than 150 rides and attractions on over 35 acres of fairgrounds.

But even with all the traditional fixtures New Jersey and New York residents have come to expect, the state fair has found ways to grow. One way is this summer’s musical extravaganza and tribute to a foregone era.

Palisades Park Reunion

One of the most talked about events at this year’s fair will be “Cousin Brucie’s First Annual Palisades Park Reunion” on opening weekend. The State Fair will welcome legendary radio personality and current SiriusXM host Bruce Morrow on Saturday, June 22 at 7 p.m., when he bring the sounds of artists who entertained audiences at Palisades Amusement Park in the 1960s.

The evening will include performances broadcast live on SiriusXM’s ‘60s on 6 channel, including Neil Sedaka, Lesley Gore, The Crests, Bobby Lewis, Vito Picone & The Elegants, Randy & The Rainbows, Ronnie Spector, and others. The event is part of the SiriusXM “Sounds of Summer” series.

Palisades Park, which operated from 1898 to 1971, was located on the edge of Bergen County overlooking Manhattan. During his time at WABC Radio in New York, “Cousin Brucie” was known for hosting the famous Palisades Park rock concerts.

“Cousin Brucie brought some of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll to Palisades Park in the ‘60s,” said Michele Tartaglione, managing director of State Fair Meadowlands. “We are honored to be bringing many of the artists together again at State Fair Meadowlands this summer, to remember the well-loved Palisades Park, and also to pay tribute to those artists who defined rock ‘n’ roll at a dynamic time in music history.”

In August 1965, Cousin Brucie had the distinction of introducing the Beatles during their historic Shea Stadium concert.

“I have been waiting for this event to happen for several decades,” said Cousin Brucie. “Palisades Park was more than a Cousin Brucie showcase for the great artists of the day; it was literally an emotional experience for the tens of thousands of my listeners who attended these unforgettable shows. Great talent appeared with me at Palisades, many of whom made their debut.”

The Cousin Brucie event is free with entry ticket to the fair, which is $9 for those 13 and older, and $7 for children 12 and under and senior citizens. Children fewer than 34 inches tall are admitted free.

The entertainment at the 2013 fair is as diverse at it will ever be, with many other new shows and expositions.

Other entertainment

“We’ll have something for everybody this year, from returning favorites such as the Racing Pigs, Big Cat Show and Petting Zoo, to the all-new NBA Nation Tour, Circus Maximus and music acts,” said Tartaglione. “Most of our attractions are free with entry ticket, providing families with an affordable day of fun and entertainment. Fans of old-fashioned fair attractions will also love our array of sideshows, including the ‘Girl-to-Gorilla’ show, which is appearing for the first time since 1996 to delight curious fairgoers.”

This year’s featured entertainment includes the following (all attractions are free with entry ticket unless otherwise specified):

• Circus Maximus – Featuring an all-new acrobat who artfully contorts on one hand; a stunning pair of aerialists who will perform their “Moon Act” high above the crowds; clowns, trapeze artists and more.

• The Racing Pigs – Kids and adults will love this hilarious pig racetrack; listen for Pamela Jean, the Pig Racing Queen, who calls the race like the Kentucky Derby!

• The Big Cat Show – Lions, tigers and ligers that are cute enough (almost) to cuddle; the fair’s man, Clayton, will educate audiences all about these majestic protected creatures.

• Girl-to-Gorilla Show – An old-time illusion for the brave and curious (entry fee required); does the girl really grow hair and turn into a gorilla?

Parking is free Monday through Wednesday, and $4 Thursdays through Sundays, and July 3. On opening night parking is just $1.

The fair will be offering free shuttle buses from/to the Secaucus Junction Train Station on Fridays from 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays, 4 p.m. to midnight; Sundays, from 4 p.m. to midnight; July 3 from 6 p.m. to midnight; and July 4, from 4 p.m. to midnight.

On Saturday, June 29, the fair will host a Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifier at 2:30 p.m., and it will have a local aspect to it. Hoboken resident Jordan Rothman will compete to try to earn a spot in big event on July 4 in Coney Island.

Rothman began eating competitively on a whim in 2005, when his dining hall at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., offered a bicycle as the grand prize of a hot dog eating contest, which he won. The following year, the university named him Athlete of the Week for his success in the hot dog eating contest.

As the contest approaches, he plans to train during most of his free time and run at least 25 miles a week in preparation.